Library program to spotlight Louisiana's Creole culture

Sunday

Feb 21, 2010 at 12:01 AM

Laura McKnightStaff Writer

HOUMA — Those curious about Louisiana's unique Creole culture, or even the difference between Creole and Cajun, can learn more on that topic during a literary program at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library.The next round of the library's Readings in Literature and Culture, or RELIC, program centers on reading and discussing writings related to Creole culture by Louisiana authors. Each of the readings, which include both fiction and nonfiction, involve the state's Creole heritage and influences. The program, titled “The Creole Identity and Experience in Louisiana,” is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday in the Distance Education room on the second floor of the Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. Participants continue meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays through March 31.Admission is free and open to the public. The program is geared to those 18 and up.There is no deadline to register. Participants may simply show up for that day's discussion.“I hope we get lots of people in there to read and share,” said Mary L. Morton, the group's facilitator. Morton retired in 1997 after nearly 30 years at Nicholls State University, where she served as a professor in the English Department, now the Languages and Literature Department. Morton taught classes on various kinds of literature, such as Louisiana and Southern literature, and has facilitated numerous RELIC programs during the past 20-plus years.During the program, participants read certain books and excerpts, then gather to discuss their thoughts on the works.Morton, who last facilitated a RELIC group in 2008, said she looks forward to the feedback.“It's always fun to see how the audience will react to the various works,” Morton said.The Creole series includes writings by authors like Ernest J. Gaines, Lalita Tademy, George Washington Cable, Anne Rice and Jerah Johnson.“I hope people enjoy it for the literature aspect of it,” said Lauren Bordelon, adult-services coordinator for the Terrebonne Parish Library System. “We have good literature coming out of Louisiana, good writers coming out of Louisiana.”The Library System regularly offers the RELIC program, which includes a number of reading series focused on a range of themes. Recent RELIC programs have centered on World War II, the experience of immigrating to America and Elizabeth I of England. The program is presented through the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities with help from the Friends of the Terrebonne Public Library.The local library last offered the Creole series more than three years ago, Bordelon said.Library leaders decided to bring the Creole program back to again highlight Louisiana culture, she said.Morton, who facilitated a RELIC Creole culture series in Morgan City two years ago, said she likes hearing from locals who can relate to the culture described in the readings and add their own life experiences to the mix. The course offers participants “the pleasure of sharing reading with other people” and the chance to expand their knowledge through reading, Morton said. Helen Monteiro of Houma, who has participated in numerous RELIC programs, said she also enjoys the input from other group members as well as the facilitators' insights.“The presenters are very knowledgeable and make it very interesting,” she said. Monteiro, who taught remedial English at Nicholls, said the program always teaches her something new, helping to satisfy her thirst for learning. About 25 people have signed up for the program so far, a typical amount for a RELIC series, Bordelon said.Organizers hand out a list of readings along with the reading materials ahead of time, so participants can be prepared to discuss the topics, but it's not too late to get involved in the group, Bordelon said.The library has no more sets of reading materials for the program, but those interested can get copies of the reading list and likely find most of the books and stories in the library's general collection or at local bookstores.For information, call the Terrebonne Parish Main Library at 876-5158.